Bump Practitioners

Dr Julie Vecera

Dr Julie Vecera is one of Australia’s leading practitioners in women’s health and fertility and has presented widely on the topic of fertility acupuncture and women’s health through webinars and seminars over the past decade. Julie is a Dr of Chinese Medicine and is a certified Nutritionist practicing out of her own Bump Acupuncture and Nutrition clinics located around Melbourne and Sydney. She also founded the Fertility Lifestyle Program which is a result of years helping couples across the world with infertility issues.

Through her close affiliation with Monash IVF Julie has been able to collaborate with some of Australia’s leading fertility specialists. Her collaborative approach to treatment has been embraced by many world renowned specialists and she has become a leader in bringing the notion of collaborative, conventional and complementary fertility treatment to the fore for practitioners and patients alike.

Passionate about educating couples, Julie has done much research on both the affects of food and lifestyle to boost fertility and the hormonal and autoimmune issues affecting women’s fertility health. Now one of Australia’s most in-demand practitioners for women’s health issues, Julie generously offers an enormous amount of time supporting couples through the stress of infertility with the successful Fertility Lifestyle Program which has grown internationally with support from worldwide renowned fertility specialists.BA Health Science/Chinese Medicine
Post graduate in Nutrition
Southern School of Natural Therapies
Deakin University

Dr Meg Dooley. CM. BAppSci (Human Biology/Chinese Medicine)

Meg is a registered Acupuncturist, Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Massage therapist. Her involvement in the Natural Health and Healing industry span over fifteen years and she is registered for Chinese Medicine on the Australian Health Practitioner Registry (AHPRA) and a member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)

Meg graduated from RMIT University with a double degree in Applied Science/Chinese Medicine/Human Biology in 2006, her knowledge encompasses both Chinese Medicine, Nutritional Medicine and the Western Medical sciences.

Over five years Meg studied Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Pathology, Western Medical diagnosis and Pharmacology whilst also learning the art of Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment.

In 2006 she travelled to China to complete her clinical internship at Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Here she spent 5 months in the departments of Acupuncture, Gastroenterology, Gyneacology, Dermatology, learning from experienced Chinese Doctors in these fields and developed a special interest in Chinese Medical Gyneacology, Assisted Reproductive Medicine, Obstetric Acupuncture and Acupuncture for Emotional and Mental health.

Since completing her degree Meg has done further study in Classical Five Element Acupuncture, which is particularly effective for emotional disorders and is also currently a candidate in the Masters of Human Nutrition program at Deakin University.

Meg has now been practicing Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for over 8 years, she has predominantly directed her focus toward helping patients overcome Anxiety disorders, Natural Fertility enhancement and achieving better outcomes for IVF patients.

When consulting IVF patients her special interests lie in preparation for IVF cycles with Diet/Nutrition, stress management and improving the overall Gut Health of patients to enhance cellular uptake of nutrients and improve immune function and factors contributing to egg/sperm development. Meg is also interested in guiding patient through Liver detoxification in between IVF cycles to encourage natural hormonal balance and vitality.

She is the Author of the eBook The YIN/Yang of Stress: 5 ways Chinese Medicine can help you achieve emotional balance, physical vitality and lasting peace of mind, and is currently developing an online course to help patients manage stress through Wholefoods, Movement & Breath, Nourishing the Spirit and Embracing Rest.

Dr Jenny Kwon

My treatment philosophy is “Treat the root and the plant will thrive”

Graduated from RMIT University with double bachelor degree in Chinese Medicine and Human biology.

After graduating, developed a special interest in Women’s health and fertility and been working with fertility patients for more then 5 years.

My treatment focus on finding the balance within individuals and help to achieve ones health in optimal state.

Dr Janette Panaccio

Janette Panaccio is an experienced Chinese medicine & fertility acupuncture practitioner who has been providing services to Bump patients since 2010. Janette, is a fully qualified TCM practitioner having completed her tertiary studies at RMIT, including an internship at the TCM Jiangsu Hospital in Nanjing, China. She is registered with both AHPRA and AACMA.

Janette is a proud and passionate TCM practitioner, committed to providing the best possible care and attention to all of her patients undergoing the IVF program. She firmly believes that a course of gentle fertility acupuncture sessions together with herbal supplements, where required, will enhance the likelihood of successful IVF and other fertility procedures.

In addition to her fertility services with Bump, Janette also practices in the areas of musculoskeletal pain conditions, anxiety, depression, post-natal care and paediatrics.

Janette is constantly seeking to improve her knowledge of TCM, and loves attending professional development courses. She finds master classes with visiting expert clinicians an especially effective way to acquire new skills and techniques. In her remaining spare time, she enjoys relaxing at her home on the Peninsula with her grown up family.

Dr Mira An

Dr. Mira An is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine. She is a registered practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and an accredited member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA).

Mira trained in Seoul, Korea as a clinical dietitian at Severance hospital and realised food plays a core role in life changing & disease fighting.

Having worked in the field of modern, high
technology driven medical science as a dietitian, she also developed another interest in energy of food and herbs which is nature’s own. She spent a year in Beijing studying Chinese literature at Qing Hwa University and was fascinated about classic theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Mira then completed a double degree of Chinese Medicine & Human Biology at RMIT. She was also involved in many clinical research studies investigating various modern diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine & acupuncture during her research training.

She is practicing classic acupuncture utilising Five Elements, 8 constitutional diagnoses with deep insight of somatic, social and physiologic aspect of human beings as a whole.

Mira has a great interest in fertility, immunologic disease, allergy, and complementary dermatology as well as metabolic, endocrine imbalance and is likely to integrate evidence based traditional medicine and medical specialties to deliver the best possible care to patients.

Dr Vivian Chow

Trained at RMIT University in Melbourne, Vivian was awarded the double degree in Applied Science/Chinese Medicine/Human Biology in 2007, as the Top Student with First Class Honours, excelling in Western Biomedical Sciences, Western Medical diagnosis and on top of traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment. Vivian has a special interest in Chinese Medical Gyneacology, Assisted Reproductive Medicine, Obstetric Acupuncture and Acupuncture for Emotional and Mental health.

Dr Sharmaine Nicholson

Sharmaine is one of Melbourne’s leading specialists in fertility acupuncture and is a traditional Chinese medicine herbalist. She has been successfully helping couples conceive for almost 10years.

She specializes in the treatment of infertility (male and female factor), pregnancy support, pre-birth preparation and women’s health.

Sharmaine joined Bump at it’s inception and brings her wealth of clinical experience and success of helping couples get pregnant and stay pregnant, naturally and/or by supporting IVF and other assisted reproduction protocols.

She can provide the treatment and support you need to help you navigate your fertility treatment more successfully prevent miscarriage support pregnancy and guide you through each trimester prepare for labour with pre-birth preparation.

Sharmaine concentrates on balancing the reproductive system and hormones, and reducing stress for both men and women. Her treatments are focused on each patients specific clinical presentation. Every patient is different and every patient is given the differentiated care and attention they need.

She utilizes acupuncture, herbal medicine, supplements, nutritional guidance and lifestyle counselling. Sharmaine works in conjunction with patients doctors and health care providers to achieve the fastest, most beneficial results, and endeavours to create a healthy balance of natural and allopathic practices in their lives.

Sharmaine has found that male and female co-treatment brings about the best results for conception, reduced miscarriage, a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. She believes that healthy mums and dads to be have the best chance of making healthy babies.

Patients feel confident with Sharmaine’s natural, relaxed manner and her knowledge. She is well versed in IVF and assisted reproductive protocols and medications, the Drs and the various IVF clinics in Melbourne and is able to give you current and accurate information.

Sharmaine is also committed to helping people live happier, healthier lives with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treating common ailments like colds and flus, immunity issues such as hayfever, headaches, and digestive disorders to name but a few.

Qualifications & Awards

Bachelor of Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine)

Awarded scholarship for a clinical internship at the renowned Kyung Hee University Hospital in Seoul. During this time she received specialist clinical training in the gynecology/reproductive health, pulmonary, endocrine, pediatric, hepatic and opthamalogy departments.

Dr Olivia Ma

Olivia Ma graduated from RMIT after completing her internship at the Jiangsu hospital in Nanjing, China. She has also worked as a specialist in fertility acupuncture at the Emergency Department at the Northern Hospital in Epping. Olivia is the fourth generation in her family practising Chinese Medicine.

Olivia likes to incorporate traditional Chinese medicine with modern research to optimize treatment efficiency. She is also versed in Japanese acupuncture. She favours the gentle needling technique of Japanese acupuncture, and finds it especially beneficial for those who are sensitive or needle shy.

Olivia is passionate about assisting couples along their fertility journey, from pre-conception to post-natal care. She also loves treating dermatological cases and seeing the tangible skin response to acupuncture and herbs.

Dr Maya Lerman-Becker

Maya Lerman-Becker is an experienced practitioner with a Bachelor degree in Health Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) obtained in Australia. For the last 14 years Maya has been practicing in a range of professional health clinics.

Maya has a special interest in women’s health, fertility and support during IVF.
She is a mother of two and is passionate about treating babies and paediatrics in general.

In her sessions Maya utilizes the range of techniques at her disposal and may combine fertility acupuncture and herbal supplements with pressure points (Shiatsu) and cupping. She believes that for those who experience fertility issues and those who go under IVF, a hands-on massage such as the Shiatsu has a great value. She has been practicing at Bump since 2012.

Dr Davina Mercuri

Davina obtained her Bachelor of Health Sciences in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Australia. Further studies abroad took her to China and the UK where she spent many hours observing TCM Doctors treating patients successfully in the dermatology, gynaecology, paediatric, gastrointestinal wards. She has also had many years experience working with a renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine gynaecologist in Melbourne. Davina was invited to join Bump where she continued her practice treating a wide range of disorders including gynaecology and infertility. Davina has now been in practice for over 10 years and likes to incorporate her fertility acupuncture treatments with Chinese herbal medicine where deemed necessary.

Dr Marieke O’Halloran

Marieke graduated in 1993 as a Physiotherapist in the Netherlands. After practicing as a Physiotherapist she became interested in a more holistic approach to treatment and undertook her TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) study in the Netherlands and graduated as an Acupuncturist in 2000 and a Chinese Herbalist in 2001. During her study she completed part of her practical training in Beijing (China) and later in Shanghai (China). Studying and keeping current with the latest information is a key component of running her practice business and she travels extensively to attend (international) TCM seminars and conferences.

Having completed a Physiotherapy as well as an Acupuncture/Herbal Medicine degree gives Marieke a great advantage diagnostically as well as in treatment. Combining the two modalities for the past 20 years has been proven very successful and gives great clinical results.

Marieke has a keen interest in women’s health ranging from IVF support, pregnancy support and postnatal care. She is well versed in IVF and assisted reproductive protocols and medications. Her special interests lie in preparation for IVF cycles with personalized care plans ranging from Chinese traditional remedies, nutritional regimens and, if necessary, fertility acupuncture, herbal medicine, etc.

Dr Millicent Matthew (Chinese Medicine)

Millicent practices both traditional Chinese and Japanese Acupuncture. Japanese Acupuncture is a very gentle form of acupuncture renowned for its pleasant and subtle treatments. Her treatments often include moxa and massage. Trained in Tuina (Chinese Remedial Massage), Thai Massage and Chi Nei Tsang (abdominal detox massage), Millicent often incorporates these holistic therapeutic massages and cupping into treatments.

Treating women and children is a special interest of Millicent’s. She loves to assist women to feel healthy, relaxed and at ease throughout their cycle and pregnancies with acupuncture or massage.

Chinese Dietetics are often included in her treatments. This could be as simple as adding a daily ginger tea or switching from fresh to cooked salads.

Millicent qualified as an acupuncturist in Brisbane, went into practice immediately and soon after started working at Endeavour College as a tutor. She also apprenticed in Japanese acupuncture. Milllicent’s Tuina qualification was also gained in Brisbane. She has studied Thai massage in Thailand during an extended visit. Chi Nei Tsang was studied in Thailand and in Australia. Her ongoing studies include Japanese acupuncture, Fertility acupuncture, Psychology, Childbirth Education and vipassana meditation.

Qualifications & Awards

Millicent is registered with AHPRA and AACMA so rebates from health funds are available for treatments.

Contact us Today

Name (required)

Email (required)

Phone (required)

Your Message

Bump Locations

Epworth Hospital Richmond

Levels 7 & 9, 89 Bridge Rd, Richmond

Phone: 03 9348 2867 or

0433 784 843

Carlton

23a/255 Drummond St, Carlton

Phone:03 9348 2867 or

0433 784 843

Epworth Rehabilitation Hawthorn

Level 2/50 Burwood Rd

Phone: 03 9348 2867 or
0433 784 843

Clayton

282a Clayton Rd, Clayton

Phone:03 9544 2807 or

0433 784 843

Sydney

Monash IVF

1 Fennell St, North Parramatta, NSW

Phone: 03 9348 2867 or

0433 784 843

Welcome to Bump Acupuncture & Nutrition

IVF Support Melbourne & Sydney

BUMP’s focus is on the physical and emotional state of the person as a whole. This means looking at being in optimum health to maximize the chances of fertility and the ability to bounce back after the pregnancy. Whether you are trying to get pregnant naturally, or are needing that extra bit of IVF support, we are there with you. For this reason we have created the Fertility Lifestyle Program to help guide you through the journey of becoming pregnant.

All treatments are designed specifically for your particular needs through a combination of IVF acupuncture, nutritional advice, herbal medicine and massage. Our clinic provides a place to relax between appointments both before and after your embryo transfer. We want to fill the voids we have experienced throughout the IVF process. Pre/Post embryo transfer acupuncture is done at our Monash IVF locations in Richmond, Hawthorn and Sunshine as well as our Carlton and Clayton clinics.